Safety toggle break switch



Jan. 3, 1928. 1,654,521

E. E. ANDERSON SAFETY TOGGLE BREAK SWITCH Filed Jan.12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z7 FT j 57 Z5 flzzderson I Jan. 3, 1928.

E. E. ANDERSON SAFETY TOGGLE BREAK SWITCH Filed Jan. 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

ERNEST E. ANDERSON,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY TOGGLE BREAK SWITCH.

Application filed January This invention relates to an improved safety tog le break switch wherein the switch bla e is adapted to be actuated by means of a universal joint toggle mechanism which when operated by a rotatable control. means causes the universal joint toggle mechanism to swing in a plane perpendicir lar to the plane of movement of the switch blade. I 1

It is on object of this invention to provide a high tension switch wherein the switch blade is adapted to be governed by a distant control which when operated serves to actuate a universal joint toggle mechanism from a straight line position in a plane perpendicular to the plane of operation of the switch blade.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a high tension switch mechanism with a fulcrumed switch blade which carries a contact housing containing a plurality of spring controlled contact members adapted to frictionally engage a knife member when the switch is in closed position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved safety toggle break switch wherein a universal joint toggle mechanism is adapted to be operated by a rotatable control to cause the universal joint toggle mechanism to swing in a plane perpendicular to the plane of operation of the switch blade when the same is moved into open or closed position.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide a high tension switch wherein a fulcrumed switch blade is adapted to be operated by a universal joint toggle mechanism which in turn is adapted to be broken by a drive means governed by a distant control having a latch mechanism assoc ated therewith to prevent accidental op eration of the switch blade.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved switch which due to the construction of the driving or control mechanisms affords a three pole switch which may be mounted in an upright position, in a suspended position or in any other position desired.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a high tension switch wherein a 12, 1925. Serial No. 1,749.

fulcrumed switch blade is adapted to be swung through a plane by means of a toggle joint connected with a drive member adapted to be operated about an axis to cause the toggle joint to move from a straight line position in the plane of said switch blade through a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement-of said switch blade when operated by the toggle joint.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

1 7 On the drawings:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of a safety toggle break switch embodying the principles of this invent-ion With parts broken away and with parts omitted.

Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of safety toggle break switches connected for simultaneous operation from a common control driving mechanism.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line IIIIII pf Figure 1 showing the operation in dotted mes.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail elevation of the control end of the mechanism.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fra mentary detail section taken on line V-V of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the switch blade contact housing with one of the sides of the housing removed.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical detail section of a modified form of switch blade cont-act housing shown in engagement with a knife member.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating a method of suspending a switch blade contact housing.

I As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a sup porting base for the switch. Mounted on the base 1 near each end thereof are the standards 2 for supporting insulators 3 and 3. Mounted on the base 1 between the standards 2 is a bearing collar or sleeve t in which an upper drive shaft 5 is journalled. Secured on the shaft 5 is a standard 6 provided with an insulator 7. The standard 6 is provided with a crank arm 8, the end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 9 integrally formed on a block or casting 10. The block 10 is secured on a horizontal rod or shaft 11.

Also secured on the shaft 11 is a block or casting 12 having an integral arm 13 to which one end of a longitudinally adjustable toggle or link 14 is pivotally connected. The other end of the link 14 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 15 (Figure 4). The crank arm 15 is rigidly secured on the upper end of a vertical driving shaft 16 which extends downwardly with the lower end thereof secured in a clamp collar 17. The lower end of the drivin shaft 16 is journalled in a bearing brac et 18 which is rigidly mounted on a convenient support or wall.

An arm 19 is integrally formed on the collar 17 and has pivotally mounted on the end thereof a control lever 20. The control lever 20 is adapted to hang behind one end of a stop bar 21 conveniently mounted so that the lever 20 cannot be swung through a horizontal arc until it is first swung upwardly into a horizontal position to clear the stop bar 21. The lever '20 may be swung through a horizontal arc of one hundred and eighty degrees to permit the same to be dropped behind either end of the stopbar 21 (Figure 4). By referring to Figure 2 it will be evi dent that the transverse or horizontal shaft 11 may be extended to permit a plurality of switches to be operated simultaneously.

Mounted on the insulator 3 is a bracket 22 the upper end of which is formed to support a pivot pin 23 for a switch blade supporting arm 24. The supporting arm 24 is fulcrumed on the pivot pin 23 and has one end thereof curved downwardly (Figure 1). The other end of the sup orting arm 24 is formed to afford a clamp lock 25 in which one end of a switch blade 26 is secured. To avoid carrying current through the pivot pin 23 a terminal socket 27 is secured on the clamp block 25 and holds one end of a flexible conductor 28. The other end of the flexible conductor 28 is secured in a terminal socket 29. The terminal socket 29 is mounted on a conductor bar 30 which is supported upon the insulators 3 and 7 as illustrated in Figure 1.

The lower end of the supporting arm 24 is forked and carries a pin 31 on which is pivotally mounted a knuckle 32 (Figure 3). The knuckle 32 forms'part of one end of a universal joint toggle member 33. A knuckle 34 forms part of the other end of the universal joint toggle member 33 and is pivotally connected on a crank pin 35. The crank pin 35 is carried on a crank arm 36 mounted on the upper end of the insulator 7.

The contact end of the switch blade 26 has rigidly secured thereon a clamp member or block 37 which carries a pair of flanged plates 38 the flanges of which are disposed along the upper edges and contact one another to afford a space 39 between said plates as illustrated in Figure 5. The inner faces of the switch contact plates 38 are provided with a plurality of recesses 40 each recess having a coiled spring 41 seated-therein for the purpose of holding a contact ball 42 in projecting contacting engagement with a switch contacting knife member 43. The base of the knife member 43 is supported on the insulator 3. The knife member 43 carries an arcing horn or bar 44 and a terminal member 45 for the line wire. An arm 46 is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer sides of the plates 38 which form the contact box or casing on the contact end of the switch blade 26.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified form of a switch blade contact housing or casin comprising side plates 47 each of which 1s provided with an integral flange 48 along one edge. The flanges 48 project inwardly and contact one another to afford a chamber or space 49 between the plates 47. Each of the plates 47 is provided with a plurality of recesses having socket members 50 removably secured therein and open at their inner ends. Seated in each of the sockets 50 is a coiled spring 51 and a contact ball 52. The springs 51 act to resiliently hold the contact balls in projected position in engagement-with the side surfaces of the knife member 43 when the switch blade 26 is in its lowered position. The chamber 43 between the plates 47 is provided to receive the knife member 43 as illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is a detail illustration of a modified form of switch blade contact box or housing 53 the interior of which is constructed similar to the arrangements shown in Figures 5 and 7. The switch contact box 53 in this case is suspended by means of a bracket or stem 54 from an upper support 55. In this form of the device the control end of the switch blade 26 is adapted to swing vertically into and out of the end of the passage formed between the plates forming the side members of the contact housing 53.

The operation is as follows:

When the improved switch is in closed position as illustrated in Figure 1 the universal joint toggle member 33 is in a straight position and lies directly in the vertical plane established by the swing of the switch blade 26. (hen the universal joint toggle member 33 is in its straight line position bclow the pivoted end of the switch blade, the operating crank 36 is also disposed in the plane of vertical. movement of the switch blade. The universal joint toggle member 33 and the crank 36 afford a toggle joint blade 43.

ated to swing the switch blade through a' vertical plane the operating shaft 5 and the insulator 7 are actuated to cause the straight line position of the toggle joint to be broken by swinging the crank arm 36 and the t0ggle member 33 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement of the switch blade 26. lVit-h the switch mechanisms positioned. as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the switch blade swings through a vertical plane by first swinging the operating lever 20 from the position shown in Figure 4 upwardly into a horizontal position away from behind the stop bar 21. After the lever has been moved into a horizontal position to clear the stop bar, the lever is forced to swing through a horizontal plane through an arc of substantially one hundred eighty degrees, thereby causin the arm 19 to rotate or swing the collar 17 through a half revolution. Rotation of the collar 17 causes rotation of the driving shaft 16 so that the crank arm 15 on the upper end of the driving shaft will be swung through a horizontal plane thereby actuating the adjustable toggle link 14 (Figure 2). The operation of the toggle link 14 causes actuation of the clamp block 12 and the shaft 11 carried by it. The shaft 11 is moved from the full line position of Figure 3 into the dotted line position thereby causing movement of the clamp block 10 from the full line position into the dotted line position. Movement of the block 10 as described causes the, crank arm 8 to swing from the full line position into the dotted line position of Figure 3 thereby causing rotation of the shaft 5 and insulator 7. Rotation of the insulator 7 and the pin 5 causes the crank arm 36 to swing from its straight line position in alignment with the toggle 33 into the dotted line position of Figure 3, thereby breaking the straight line position of the toggle joint. Breaking of the toggle joint causes a force to be exerted on the lower end of the short arm 24 of'the switch blade thereby causing the switch blade to swing upwardly through a vertical plane. Upward swinging of the switch blade causes the contact box 38 on the contact end of the switch blade to swing or move upwardly, thereby causing the contact balls 42 to move over the surface of the knife blade 43 as the contact box is moved out of engagement with said knife The switch blade is swung upwardly into a position past vertical so that the switch blade will be safe against accidental falling into contact position with the knife blade 43.

When the operating shaft 5 and insulator 7 start to rotate, the crank arm 36 is actuated to first cause a slight movement of the switch blade.

toggle joint out of the straight line position, thereby developing a strong leverage which is exerted on the short arm 24 of the switch blade to slowly break the switch contact between the knife blade 43 and the contact balls carried in the housing 38. As the toggle joint approaches an acute angle as illustrated in the dotted line position of Figure 3 the force is decreased and the speed of movement increased accordingly after the switch contact has been broken and the only work remaining to be done is the lifting of the The toggle joint is broken by swinging the members comprising the same through a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the switch blade 26 operates. The actual position of the toggle joint when in its straight line position is in a plane established by the swing of the switch blade and said straightline position of the toggle joint may be broken as described by operation of the lever 20 to cause the switch blade to first break the switch contact and then swing into a position a little beyond vertical to prevent accidental falling thereof back into contact position. lVhen the switch has been opened as described the lever 20 is permitted to swing downwardly behind the opposite end of the stop bar 21 from that illustrated in Figure 4 so that the switch blade and the operating mechanisms therefor are held in a locked position until such a time when the lever is again swung upwardly toclear the stop bar 21. By use of the lever 20 in conjunction with the stop bar 21 an arrangement has been provided whereby accidental operation of the switch blade in either position is prevented.

\Vhile the improved contact members in the contact end of the switch blade are being separated the spring controlled contact balls 42 within the casing 38 gradually move off of the knife member 43 while the extension arm 46 on the contact housing 38 re mains in contact with the arcing horn 44, thereby eliminating the possibility of burning the contacts if the circuit is not completely broken until the contact housing 38 and the knife blade 43 are separated by a substantial distance.- The arcing horn 44 and the extension arm 46 are renewable so that any arcing that does occur on the horn only damages inexpensive, replaceable parts.

The modified form of contacting mechanisms illustrated in Figure 7 is similar to that illustrated in Figure 5 with the exccption that removable sockets are provided in the housing plates 47 for the purpose of holding the coiled springs 51 and the contact balls 52. Figure 8 shows the contact housing 53 suspended from above for coaction with the end of the switch blade 26.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

In a high tension switch of the class described, the combination with an insulator, of a knife member supported thereon, an arcing horn supported on said insulator, a second insulator, a switch blade fulcrumed thereon, means for operating the switch blade, a contact housing on said switch blade adapted to engage over said knife member, an arm on said contact housing for coaction with said arcing horn, and spring impelled contact balls within said Contact housing adapted to resiliently engage said knife member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ERNESTIE. ANDERSON. 

